This long chapter on "Political Doctrine and Development Strategy of the Republic of Korea" in the book of Political Doctrines and Development Strategies is used as a textbook for an undergraduate course in Department of Political Science of Sukhothaithamathirat university, as well as in other universities throughout the Kingdom of Thailand.

This chapter aims to illustrate political change in the Republic and to discuss the rationale behind the change of South Korea's developmental strategy from the import substitute to export- oriented approach through the mighty "Outward-Looking Policy" in the Third Republic. The author cites that the authoritarian regime mapped out such a path of development strategy, and later concentrated on the development of heavy and chemical industries in the third national plan, without prominent challenges from any opposition to twist the development goal until 1986. The final section is devoted to the discussion on the pros and cons resulting from this development path through the authoritarian regime in the capitalist system and on the prediction of political development trend of the Republic in future.

This chapter is divided into three sections, as follows:

1. Political doctrine and development strategy in the First Republic to the Third Republic. This section discusses the formation of the Republic, as the country had gone through storms and stress in political struggles and Korean war. This led to the popular revolt, followed by military takeover, so that the authoritarian regime took control over the country. This period saw the necessity that regime adopted export-oriented development path instead of the import-substitution. Meanwhile, the government emphasised rural development through the Saemuel Undong Movement in the early 1970's which was quite a successful programme.

2. Political doctrine and development strategy in the Fourth and Fifth Republics. This section identifies the need to maintain the hegemonic project in economic development by putting forth public and private investments in heavy and chemical industries. The government continued to encourage private sectors to gain competitiveness in world market.

3. The impacts, problems and trends of Korean development. Korean economic development can be regarded as a highly successful case among developing countries in the modern era. However, there were several problems accruing from such a development process. They were, for example, totalitarianism, wage freezing, etc. Moreover, the Republic faced protectionism from the world markets. She was also heavily dependent on imported raw materials from overseas. For the development trends, the political process of the Republic would have to open for more popular participation, while income distribution should be effectively made.